Though the reigning Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto just missed the podium at last week’s season opener in Anaheim, he returned to the top Saturday evening at Chase Field in Phoenix.

The Monster Energy Kawasaki KX-F 450 pilot started in ninth at Phoenix Supercross, but made an impressive charge through the field, eventually passing all eight riders ahead. On lap 13 he took the lead, and held off a charge to take his first win of 2014 AMA SX.

More importantly, he also took over the points lead as he chases his fourth-straight consecutive title, a feat only completed by two other riders – Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath.

Ahead of nearly 50,000 fans at Chase Field, Yoshimura Suzuki’s Jake Moss won the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot award for the 20-lap Phoenix Supercross main event, followed by Brayton and Dungey.

As for Villopoto, he started ninth behind Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart, who suffered a DNF last week at Anaheim, Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Justin Barcia and Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen, last week’s winner.

Brayton jumped into the lead on the second corner, and Barcia made pass on Supercross Champion Dungey for second. Barcia briefly took over the lead, but Brayton quickly reacted, getting back into first.

Barcia lost some rhythm, and also lost second to Dungey. Behind, Villopoto had already passed Stewart, and a six-way battle began for the lead between Brayton, Dungey, Rozen, Barcia and Villopoto, respectively.

On lap 7 while battling for third, Barcia and Roczen bumped into each other, and the KTM rider hit the dirt. Villopoto was able to jump into third, and on lap 11 made a pass on his rival Dungey for second. He then began chasing down Brayton, and eventually passed him on lap 13.

Villopto kept off many charges by Bratyon to take his first win at Phoenix.

Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy Kawasaki KX-F 450 Supercross) says: “Justin was riding a hell of a race. I have to give it to him, he made it tough.

“I didn’t get the start I wanted because the (starting) gate was slippery, but I just needed to be patient. The Phoenix (track) gets really slick so I had to take my time and make sure my passes stuck.”

Brayton would finish second, tying his best-career finish at Toronto in 2012 Supercross.

Justin Brayton (Toyota/Yamaha/N-Fab/JGRMX’s YZ450F Supercross) says: “This feels so good,” Brayton exclaimed. “The new Yamaha is unbelievable. We did our homework this year. It’s been a lot of hard work, but being up [on the podium] pays off. I was trying to pay attention to what was going on behind me but still look ahead. I did all I could to stay up front, but Ryan (Villopoto) got by me.”

As for Dungey, this was his second consecutive podium finish following second last week at Anaheim.

Ryan Dungey (Red Bull KTM SX-F 450 Supercross) says: “That was a good opportunity to get a win. I kept making mistakes. I couldn’t get through the whoops, but all in all it was a good ride. The track was super slippery and it caught us off guard but we still put in on the box.”

Stewart would finish fourth, followed by Barcia in fifth. Villopoto now has a one-point advantage over Dungey after round two of 17 in 2014 Supercross. The series returns to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., next week for round three.

In the Western Regional 250 Supercross Championship, Rockstar Energy Racing KTM’s Jason Anderson again made a last-lap effort to win his second consecutive race.

MyPlash/Metal Mulisha/Star Racing Yamaha’s Cooper Webb raced to the Nuclear Cowboyz Holeshot Award to start the Western Regional 250SX Class Main Event. Webb held onto the lead for most of the opening lap until Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda’s Cole Seely moved into the lead by passing both Webb and Anderson, who started in second. Webb went down moments later and lost several positions, Feld Motor Sports says.

Seely and Anderson opened a comfortable lead on the field, with Seely extending his advantage over Anderson for most of the 15-lap Main Event. As the leaders approached lappers in the late stages, Anderson reduced his deficit to mere bike lengths. On the final lap, Seely made a slight mistake, which allowed Anderson to challenge for the lead, making the pass with about a half lap remaining, Feld Motor Sports says.

Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Racing KTM SX-F 450) says: “I was out for redemption tonight. I got a good start on my KTM, like I have been all season. I don’t plan on those last-lap passes, but it was there and I needed to take it.

“My goal is to keep control of the red number plate (signifying the points leader) so I’ll do whatever it takes to do that. I really want it.”

Coe Seely (Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil Honda CR-F250R Supercross) says: “I’m bummed. I’ve been battling stomach issues all week, so was struggling with that. I felt (my stomach) tighten up late in the race and I just made a mistake and Jason got me again.”

GEICO Honda’s Zach Osborne and Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson battled for the third position for the bulk of the Main Event, with Osborne eventually getting the edge to grab his second podium finish of the year, Feld Motor Sports says.

With Anderson, Seely, and Osborne on the podium, it duplicated the finishing order from last week’s opening race. Anderson’s lead in the championship sits at six points, Feld Motor Sports says.